Rebels admit Beale uncertainty

Kurtley Beale's tenure at the Rebels is in doubt, but coach Damien Hill is focused on the player's recovery not his return date.

Kurtley Beale may have played his last game for the Melbourne Rebels, but coach Damien Hill is focused on the player's recovery not a possible return date.

It was confirmed on Monday that Beale will be taking an indefinite break from rugby and that he had checked into an alcohol treatment facility in Sydney. The move comes after he breached a no-alcohol clause in the agreement put in place on his return to action after suspension for a drunken incident in March.

Beale is contracted to the Rebels until the end of the season, and with the Melbourne outfit having just five games remaining in their campaign, it seems unlikely that the 24-year-old will return this term, with all indications that he will join former team the Sydney-based Waratahs next season.

For his part, Hill refuses to be drawn too much into talk of Beale's future, rather praising the play-maker for his decision to seek help.

''It's hard to make comment on that at the moment and I think the most important thing is that Kurtley's welfare is foremost in everyone's minds, and we'll have to wait and see how things turn out," said Hill.

''I think it's a courageous move on his behalf and we wish him all the best with that," he added.